Links to all bills can be found at https://vakids.org/bill-tracker  

Virginia families continue to face challenges in accessing affordable, quality early care and education. From the need for increased public investment to better mental health supports for young children, the 2025 legislative session featured both meaningful steps forward and missed opportunities. Voices for Virginia’s Children worked closely with partners in the Virginia Promise Partnership and other advocates to support a slate of legislation and budget amendments aimed at building a more equitable and effective early childhood system. 

The following bills passed the General Assembly and were signed into law by the governor.

These bills will go into effect on July 1, 2025: 

HB1760 (Del. Gardner): Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Infrastructure 
Directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) to develop a plan for mental health screenings and services for children aged five and under. The plan must include collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, and the Department of Social Services. 

Why it matters: Early identification and support of social-emotional needs are essential to lifelong health and well-being. This legislation creates a crucial foundation for building statewide infrastructure to meet those needs. 

HB1685 (Del. Briana Sewell): Early Childhood Care and Education; Publicly Funded Providers; Exclusions 
Clarifies when and how certain publicly funded early childhood programs are excluded from some oversight requirements. 

Why it matters: Creates clarity around regulatory responsibilities and helps streamline compliance while still maintaining protections for children in public settings. 

Voices’ priority bills did not pass the General Assembly during session: 

HB1771 (Del. Adele McClure): Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program 
Would have established a state matching grant program to help employers offer or subsidize child care for their employees. 

Outcome: Passed House; failed in Senate Finance and Appropriations on 2/12 (Passed by Indefinitely, 15-Y 0-N). 
Note: Although the bill failed, the pilot program was included in the final state budget with $25 million in funding. 

Why it matters: This pilot encourages employer investment in child care—an innovative strategy to expand access while addressing workforce participation and retention. 

SB756 (Sen. Mamie Locke): Early Childhood Funding Formula Reform 
Proposed replacing the enrollment-based funding model with a cost-based formula to better reflect true provider costs and local needs. 

Outcome: Failed; left in Senate Finance and Appropriations on 2/5. 

Why it matters: An accurate and sustainable funding formula is essential to ensure that early childhood programs are equitably funded. 

Additional Early Childhood bills Voices monitored that did not pass: 

HB1807 (Del. Laura Jane Cohen): Virginia Preschool Initiative; Kindergarten Readiness Fund Established 
Would have created a fund to support kindergarten readiness efforts. 

Outcome: Failed on 1/20; tabled in subcommittee (8-Y 0-N). 

HB1808 (Del. Laura Jane Cohen): Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education 
Would have created a commission to study and propose kindergarten readiness funding. 

Outcome: Failed on 1/20; tabled in subcommittee (8-Y 0-N). 

HB1612 (Del. Alfonso H. Lopez): Child Care Subsidy Program; Reimbursement Rate Adjustments 
Would have adjusted the maximum reimbursement rates and eligibility calculations for subsidy recipients. 

Outcome: Failed on 1/24; tabled in subcommittee (7-Y 1-N). 

HB1785 (Del. Robert D. Orrock Sr.): Religious Child Day Centers; Exemption from Licensure 
Would have exempted certain child care programs operated by religious institutions from state licensure. 

Outcome: Failed on 1/21; tabled in subcommittee (6-Y 2-N). 

HB1786 (Del. Robert D. Orrock Sr.): Religious Child Day Centers; Conditions for Licensure Exemption 
Similar to HB1785, this bill sought to broaden exemptions for religious programs from licensing regulations. 

Outcome: Failed on 1/21; tabled in subcommittee (6-Y 2-N). 

HB2538 (Del. David L. Bulova): Early Childhood Care and Education Fund and Formula Proposal 
Would have established a dedicated funding mechanism and revised the existing early childhood funding formula. 

Outcome: Failed on 2/17; Passed by Indefinitely in Senate Finance and Appropriations with letter (14-Y 0-N). 

What’s Next 

Voices is now collaborating with the Virginia Promise Partnership to create a Policy Roadmap for Early Care and Education that will inform our 2026 legislative strategy. 

Key focus areas include: 

• Cost-based, equitable early childhood funding 

• Statewide expansion of infant and early childhood mental health services 

• Employer and community-based child care models 

• Workforce compensation and career development pathways 

• Ensuring family and provider voices guide system design 

In addition, we are bringing attention and action to the Federal cut threats to essential childcare programs like Head Start. Head Start has been a cornerstone of early childhood education for nearly 60 years, providing comprehensive services to children and families in need. However, recent federal budget proposals threaten to dismantle this vital program, putting at risk the futures of countless children in Virginia and across the nation 

Please take action and tell Congress to protect the Head Start program:

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